UPSC To Perform Aadhaar-Based Authentication For Verification Of Candidates

HYDERABAD: The Central government has allowed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to perform Aadhaar-based authentication to verify the identity of the candidates on a voluntary basis;

The authentication will be done at the time of registration and during various stages of examinations and recruitment conducted by the UPSC.

Recently, the UPSC cancelled the provisional candidature of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar and debarred her from all examinations conducted by it for fraudulently availing attempts in the civil services examination beyond eligibility.

“The UPSC is allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis, for verification of identity of candidates at the time of registration on ‘One Time Registration’ portal and various stages of examination/recruitment test, using Yes/No or/and e-KYC authentication facility,” media reports quoted from a notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

The UPSC shall adhere to all provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, “the rules and regulations made thereunder” and directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), media reports said.

In June, the UPSC decided to use facial recognition and artificial intelligence-based CCTV surveillance systems to prevent cheating and impersonation in its various tests.

Through a tender document, the commission invited bids from experienced public sector undertakings to devise two tech solutions —”Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (else digital fingerprint capturing) and facial recognition of candidates and QR code scanning of e-admit cards” and “Live AI-based CCTV surveillance service” —to be used during the recruitment examination process.